Staff Spotlight – Patricia Martínez

 

 

Meet Patricia Martínez, affectionally known as the “Mum” of Sparta, marking nearly two years of dedicated service as our Administrative Manager.

Patri’s journey spans from the legal world to the heart of our Sparta family, crafting a unique path that reflects adaptability and a steadfast commitment. Her role extends far beyond administrative duties—it’s about fostering an environment where every Spartan thrives.

Join us as we explore Patricia’s expertise, her seamless transition from the legal world to tech, and her hidden talent as an artisan milliner.

So, without further ado, let’s delve deeper into Patri’s journey!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY?

I have been with the company for almost two years.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR ROLE?

I’m the Administrative Manager in Sparta. When I joined the team, this role didn’t exist in the company, so it was created as the company grew. There were less than 25 of us at that point and I started giving support to both the Finance and People teams. I coordinated payroll and payments, and helped colleagues organise their trips, among other things. It was a very generic role at the very beginning, but for the last few months, I am leaning more towards the People side. I like to say that I try to make life easier for our internal clients.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?/CAN YOU GIVE ME A RUNDOWN OF YOUR CAREER PATH UP UNTIL THIS POINT?

My previous positions were related to the legal world, but I feel moving to Sparta and the tech world has been a change for the better. I worked for more than ten years as an assistant in international law firms, such as Linklaters and Cuatrecasas, where I had the opportunity to work in the Brussels office for more than a year. Thanks to my time in those companies, I learned how to work under pressure, perform simultaneous tasks, and change prioritisation according to changes in workload. I think that everything I learnt during my time in those companies is relevant to my current role, although my day-to-day in a start-up is quite different. To be honest, I prefer to be “behind the scenes” working with people – so my current role is a perfect fit!

I have to say that I am really happy for having changed sector. I learn something new every day and enjoy the different way of doing things in a start-up.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF WORKING AT SPARTA?

I think there are three things that make Sparta the perfect place to work for me: First of all, what I enjoy the most is that one day has nothing to do with the previous one and I learn something new every single week. Every day is a new challenge. Of course, it may sound very poetic, and it can be exhausting at times, but I prefer this to the monotony of doing the same thing day in and day out. Secondly, working with such professional people is a big plus. I think that Sparta wouldn’t have got where it is today without them. Feeling part of a team where everyone is pulling in the same direction is very motivating for me. Finally, being able to work remotely, and not having to waste time commuting is a game changer for me.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I think that I am most proud of being in a good mood almost 100% of the time! We spend a lot of time with our co-workers, so it’s better to get along with them! I have always been in the right place at the right time, sharing with those who have pushed me and helped me to get a little bit better each and every day, always with a smile on my face. Of course, I know that the world we live in isn’t always a bed of roses, and that working under pressure makes us behave strangely at times, BUT these are exceptions and they never outshine the better times.

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON HERE AT SPARTA?

It would be difficult to single one out, as they are all connected. But I would like to mention participating in the setting up of Sparta’s presence in Singapore and the United States, and helping out with the other three: United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland. I am still learning, but loving every minute of it!

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Be ambitious but patient.

WHAT’S THE MOST VALUABLE LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I would mention two: the most important thing in our personal and professional lives is to be surrounded by good people. Living and working with nice, empathetic people will make your life easier. The second lesson I learned from someone in my previous job: don’t waste time trying to be perfect – just do it!

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS/YEARS?

My main goal is to become the go to person for the People team, assisting them with the hiring process, retaining talent and helping them on the administrative side of onboarding and offboarding. I will also continue to help Spartans carry out their work as much and as well as I possibly can.

IF YOU HAD THREE WISHES, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Good health and peace of mind for all my family and friends. Time to enjoy travelling and having new experiences. Better news for 2024.

WHAT’S THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

Given the time of year, it is impossible not to hear “All I want for Christmas is you”, by Mariah Carey.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, ARE YOU CURRENTLY BINGE-WATCHING OR READING?

I just finished reading Down Under, by Bill Bryson, and am currently watching La Mesías, a new TV series that has just come out in Spain.

WHAT’S ONE THING THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT?

I am an artisan milliner. I used to have a workshop where I designed and created tailor-made felt hats. I enjoyed the many hours I spent there sewing and ironing the hats.

Another interesting thing is that not only can I drive cars and motorbikes but I can also drive large trucks and buses. My dad is a driving instructor and I learnt with him.

WHAT’S ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

Learn sign language!

Patricia Martínez is our Administrative Manager here at Sparta and can be contacted at
patricia.martinez@spartacommodities.com

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Sparta is a live, market intelligence and forecasting platform that enables oil traders, refiners, banks, hedge funds and wholesalers to have access to real-time and global actionable insights to capture market opportunities before others.

To find out how Sparta can allow you to make smarter trading decisions, faster, contact us for a demonstration at sales@spartacommodites.com